ICANN Contracted Parties Summit: Panel Discussion With Don Ruiz

The mission of .locker is to onboard users into the emerging Bitcoin blockchain ecosystem with a smart, seamless solution to issuing domain names and corresponding Web3 digital identities. Supporting this mission includes advocating for responsible blockchain solutions within the Web2 and Web3 communities. ICANN, the governing body behind Web2 domain names, hosted its Contracted Parties Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam and included a panel discussion to address the need for collaboration between the communities.

I was honored to be a panelist alongside moderator Dirk Krischenowski (DOTZON) and co-panelists Edmon Chung (.Asia), Brady Anthony-Brumfield (Unstoppable Domains) and Lars Jensen (WebUnited). The goal of our discussion was to identify the challenges the ICANN community faces in working with the emerging area of the internet known as Web3 blockchains. ICANN stakeholders are dependent on the Domain Name System (DNS). The DNS has been developed, stabilized, and improved for many years, even prior to the formation of ICANN in 1998, and it is the foundation of the internet as we know it. Blockchains are newer and have been around since 2009. It has only been in recent years that this infrastructure has evolved to become more mainstream. Unlike Web2, Web3 blockchain technology is decentralized, focused on users as opposed to companies or entities, and it affords more control of users’ online presence and their interactions. We have seen alternative financial markets emerge. Transactions are now secure and immutable - they will be stored forever. And every day we are seeing the launch of new and exciting onchain apps. We are just starting to realize the full capabilities of blockchain technology.

After considerable discussion we landed on four key takeaways:

Despite acting as two separate ecosystems, DNS and Web3 are actually very much intertwined. Blockchains cannot exist without the current internet and DNS. The ICANN community must find a way to embrace blockchains and blockchain technology despite the lack of a centralized governing body in Web3. Building trust will be a challenge. The Web3 community and developers must work with the ICANN community in a responsible way that enhances users’ online activities while protecting businesses, brands, and participants from nefarious actions, illegal activities, and abuse.

Web3 education is required for collaboration. There is a foundational gap in knowledge that should be addressed.

There is significant confusion regarding blockchains and Web3. Registries, registrars, and end users don’t know what a blockchain is or what it can be used for. Beyond education, we need to enhance the value and utility of onchain digital identities.

‍Consistent and contextual terminology regarding domain names and Web3 digital identities needs to be established. Standardization can reduce confusion.

Web3 may be growing in popularity, but it will not replace the Domain Name System. Collaboration is a must between the DNS community and the emerging Web3 ecosystem in order to drive innovation forward while also protecting users of the internet. This starts with the basics - education in blockchain technology.

Though there is a tremendous amount of work ahead, this panel was another step forward in onboarding users into the Web3 ecosystem. I look forward to building meaningful bridges for users and businesses into the exciting world of Web3.

-Don Ruiz, .locker General Manager

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